Local Agency Assisting Black Hawk County Veterans

A Waterloo-based organization is coming to the aid of local military veterans who need assistance in the Cedar Valley.

Goodwill Industries of Northeast Iowa, Inc. is joining forces with the Black Hawk County Veterans Affairs Commission to address the chronic homelessness and transportation needs of area veterans. The non-profit agency has leased a four-bedroom home in Cedar Falls to place veterans with immediate residential needs.

In addition to housing, Goodwill and area volunteers will provide staff assistance, transportation to various agencies, doctors’ appointments, and other locales.

Transportation and housing rank at the top of the barriers to independence experienced by vets, according to Veterans Affairs Executive Director Kevin Dill.

“Dozens of men and women are experiencing difficulty adjusting to everyday life following their active service,” Dill said. “We are anxious to partner with Goodwill Industries to address these two concerns.”

The home rented by Goodwill can house as many as five veterans. The first residential placements are expected to begin on August 1, 2016.

Goodwill President and CEO David Boyd said the agency is committed to easing barriers for veterans.

“We have provided transportation, vocational, and residential services to persons with disabilities for decades," Boyd stated. "Adding this population to our service delivery model is a logical step and will play a small role in helping close an existing service gap in our community.”

Local veterans who need help finding work can also get assistance from Goodwill. The agency has a long, rich history of providing employment services, résumé development, job development, interviewing techniques and job placement.

Goodwill Industries and the Black Hawk County Veterans Affairs Commission both hope to grow the services they are providing to the Cedar Valley's military veterans in the coming months.